Joe Gelhardt needs to leave Leeds United in January after what Daniel Farke has done
Daniel Farke has kept Leeds United outcast Joe Gelhardt on the bench for the 12th time this season while also not including him in the squad altogether on eight occasions.
The 21-year-old has been at the centre of transfer speculation, having spent the second half of last season with Sunderland on loan and has since struggled to make an impact under Farke.
The Sun journalist Alan Nixon reported (10 December) that the young striker may be the subject of a loan move to Hull City, which could help his development away from Elland Road.
Although Gelhardt represents Leeds with an extremely talented substitution, and also good cover for the injury-prone Patrick Bamford, Farke has given the striker just two starts in the Championship this season, tallying up 169 minutes.
The forward came off the bench against Coventry City on Saturday 16 December as they looked for a late winner but was only given five minutes to make an impact by Farke.
A move to another second-tier club could be a much-needed transfer for Gelhardt, who has proven his capabilities at Premier League and Championship level.
But the form of Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe, Crysencio Summerville and Dan James means there is limited room for him anywhere across the front line, hence his lack of minutes on the pitch.
There is a risk that Gelhardt may want more than just a loan deal, understandably growing frustrated on the sidelines. From the level of hype surrounding him when Leeds bought the player from Wigan in 2020 to being shunned by the current manager, the forward is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
It would be interesting to see Gelhardt’s relationship with Farke behind the scenes. The latter is a legendary manager when it comes to Championship promotion, and he will surely have a reason for the striker’s few inclusions this season.
But it is confusing, to say the least. Wherever the loan move is, Gelhardt will need it for his own sanity, not just game time on the pitch.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been tipped to “push for more” compensation from Everton in the even of a possible lowball offer.